I refer to the reply to Question No. 802 on 30 January 2001 as to the measures being taken to implement EU Directive 91/676/EEC, the nitrates directive.
The areas to be designated as nitrate vulnerable zones in relation to certain groundwaters affected by nitrates pollution from agricultural sources will be determined during the current year following receipt of the recommendations of local authorities as to the areas to be designated. Local authorities will be assisted in this regard by guidelines which were prepared by the Geological Survey of Ireland, at the request of my Department, and issued to them last month. A copy of the document Guidelines for the Delineation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones for Groundwaters Affected by Nitrate Contamination from agricultural sources is available in the Oireachtas Library.
The identification of other waters affected by nitrate pollution will be assisted by an assessment carried out by the Environmental Protection Agency, at the request of my Department, of the trophic status of estuarine and coastal waters. Recently I received a report of this assessment from the EPA and have placed a copy of the report – An Assessment of the Trophic Status of Estuaries and Bays – in the Oireachtas Library.
A reasoned opinion has been received from the European Commission concerning the implementation of the nitrates directive and a response is being finalised. A copy of the response, when issued, will be made available to the Deputy.
Question No. 47 answered with Question No. 25.
